School Psychology Graduate Degrees

Ed.S. in School Psychology/M.Ed. in Educational Psychology

National Louis University’s School Psychology and Educational Psychology graduate programs are for people seeking professional training to better serve students, teachers, schools and families. Through use of evidence-based academic, mental health, and positive behavior support assessment and intervention practices, NLU's School Psychology graduate degree program will prepare you to make a lasting difference in the lives of students and their families. NLU's School Psychology program is one of only three programs in the Chicago area fully accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

The program is for those persons seeking professional training to help students, teachers, schools and families thrive through use of evidence-based academic, mental health, and positive behavior support assessment and intervention practices. NLU's School Psychology program is one of only three programs in the Chicago area fully accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

Consider the school psychology graduate program at NLU if you want to:

Make a lasting and positive difference in the lives of students and their families

Provide mental health and positive behavior support services in schools, improving school safety and climate

Work with teachers, administrators and families to support academic and social-emotional development through active and early intervention

Take multiple courses each year of the program with nationally recognized experts in the field

Support the use of evidence-based practices in a Multi-Tier Model of Services and Supports (MTSS) or Response to Intervention (RtI)

Attend a program in which small class sizes ensure collaboration with classmates and individual interaction with professors

Evidence- and data-based academic and behavior/mental health practices, including assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation programs that make a difference for all students, and especially students at risk

Instructional and behavioral consultation skills to work with teachers, administrators, and parents to provide mental health services, improve school climate, and support healthy families

Models of schools and school service delivery systems, and practices and procedures therein

Research methods enabling students to complete a mandatory action research project in a school setting during their capstone year internship

National Louis University's School Psychology Program offers a 68 semester hour (SH) three-year terminal degree program culminating in the Educational Specialist's degree (Ed.S.). Graduates complete all necessary coursework and supervised field experiences necessary for the Illinois School Psychology Endorsement and are eligible for the National Certified School Psychologists (NCSP).

Master of Education (M.Ed.): The M.Ed. degree in Educational Psychology is designed for professionals with a previous academic degree who want to earn a School Pscyhology endorsement in the state of Illinois. Students earn the Master of Education degree after the first year of school or educational psychology courses on their way to earning an Ed.S. in School Psychology.

Education Specialist (Ed.S.): The Ed.S. in School Psychology degree is a post-master, pre-doctoral degree that prepares you for National Certification as a School Psychologist (NCSP).

National Louis University’s School Psychology program is one of only three programs in the Chicago area fully accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and one of only eight such accredited programs in Illinois. Graduates with a school psychology education are eligible for National Certification as a School Psychologist (NCSP) by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). The Ed.S. degree, typically three years post B.A./B.S. study, enables NLU school psychology students to take courses in the evening with small groups of peers and with faculty who are recognized experts in evidence-based practices. School-based and family intervention practices are embedded in each course, with a Year 1 Practicum of 1 day per week and 2 days per week of more independent practice in Year 2. A culminating full-time 9-month Internship with a stipend forms the basis for Year 3. Based on recent exit and alumni surveys graduates are gainfully employed and many have moved into leadership positions in their districts and communities.

A US News & World Report named school psychology as the top social service job and one of the best jobs overall in its ranking of Best Jobs 2013. Based on recent exit surveys, 100 percent of NLU School Psychology students have received competitive internships and all of our graduates who sought jobs are employed. Graduates often move into district leadership roles (e.g., supervisors, specialized district coaches, directors of special education, principals) as they gain school experience. For more information about the role of a School Psychologist, go to: www.nasponline.org/about_sp/spsych.aspx

In addition to NLU standard admission requirements, students applying to the School Psychology program are required to satisfy the following additional steps:

Three to four letters of recommendation, at least two of which are academic in nature, regarding the applicants capacity for graduate work

Professional resume or curriculum vitae describing relevant background and work experiences

A written statement of academic and professional goals and how the NLU School Psychology program can contribute to these goals

Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from every institution from which degrees were earned

Passing scores on the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) (less than five years old from time of admission) — a requirement for prospects only in the Ed.S. in School Psychology program seeking a School Psychology Endorsement

Want to become a school psychologist? If so, you'll need to pass the ILTS Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP), and NLU offers various options to help you get ready. This includes three-week intensive courses that feature a personalized learning plan and are designed to develop competencies necessary to pass the TAP. Register today!

All applicants must meet NLU's general admission requirements as well as additional requirements specific to this program. Refer to the appropriate application checklist available online at nl.edu/applyonline.

Please note: The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) may change the state licensure and endorsement requirements at any time and without prior notice. Teacher candidates will be bound by the requirements in place when applying for licensure, not by the licensure requirements in place when beginning their program. That is, the state may specify that a new regulation is immediately applicable to all candidates with no provisions made for candidates who began their work on licensure under different regulations.

CHICAGO DOWNTOWN CAMPUS

NLU’s Chicago campus on South Michigan Avenue occupies five floors of the historic Peoples Gas Building. This landmark building, across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park, is easily accessible by train, bus and car and is surrounded by restaurants, parking lots/garages and shops.

ELGIN

Conveniently located in a fast-growing business district off I-90 and Route 31, NLU Elgin features 10 classrooms with high-tech media equipment; a computer lab with high-speed Internet access; two conference rooms; and comfortable student lounges. Parking is free at this recently remodeled and upgraded teaching site, which now includes wireless Internet access.

NORTH SHORE

Opened in the summer of 2006, NLU North Shore at Skokie is a state-of-the-art modern campus located just off the Edens Expressway near the Old Orchard Shopping Center. The campus includes 44 wireless classrooms equipped with high-tech media equipment; four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, including a walk-in lab in the library; six conference rooms; a public café for beverages and snacks; a student welcome center; a library for research and study; and multiple, comfortable student lounge areas.

LISLE

Located just minutes from the East-West Tollway (I-88), NLU Lisle features 42 wireless classrooms equipped with high-tech media equipment; four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, including a separate walk-in lab in the library; a café for beverages and snacks; a student welcome center; a library for research and study; conference rooms; and six comfortable student lounge areas with wireless access.

WHEELING

Located in one of Chicago's major northwest suburbs, the newly renovated NLU Wheeling includes 20 classrooms with high-tech media equipment, four conference rooms, four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, large student lounge areas with wireless capabilities and interactive video capabilities, and an extensive research library. The site also houses the university library research collection.

FLORIDA (TAMPA)

Established in 1988 and located in one of the city's major business districts, NLU's Florida Regional Center serves students in 13 counties in central Florida. In addition to six classrooms, this location features a conference room, a computer lab with high-speed Internet access, an extensive research library and comfortable student lounges.

WISCONSIN

NLU has a proud history of serving graduate students in southeastern Wisconsin. We currently offer all Wisconsin residents online programs in non-licensure education as well as a variety of business-related degrees.